[Blind-rollers] Standard wheelchair that weighs 20 pounds

[Jennifer Aberdeen]

Peter,

I have a light-weight manual wheelchair, but it's custom made and needs to 
be taken apart if being put in the trunk of a car. I got mine through Van 
Guard (I don't know if they are available in Florida), but it is nineteen 
pounds.

I also have a light-weight folding wheelchair that is easy to put in the 
trunk. I'm not sure of the weight, but I've been told it's lighter than my 
other chair. It's frame is made of aluminum. I'm not sure where to get it 
though; this one was fifty dollars at a second-hand store.

Jen
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Michael Russillo" <petlonann at samobile.net>
To: <blind-rollers at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Saturday, December 01, 2007 6:02 PM
Subject: [Blind-rollers] Standard wheelchair that weighs 20 pounds


> Hi list.  Has anyone on this list seen a standard wheelchair that
> weighs only around 20 pounds rather than the 45-50 pounds that most
> standard ones weigh?  I ask because I am looking for a standard manual
> chair that weighs anywhere from 20 to 25 pounds or less.  For several
> years I have been using a companion-type chair, with small wheels front
> and back, on our local bus system, Community Coach here in Martin
> County, Florida (Community Coach is under the Council on Aging).  Up
> until last month there has been no problem with bringing my light
> companion chair on the bus, as I get out of that chair and sit in a
> regular seat anyway.  But the Community Coach last month started a
> policy under which those kinds of chairs are no longer allowed on the
> bus for safety reasons; only standard-type wheelchairs are allowed now.
> I have a standard chair that was given to us by friends a few years
> ago; this one must weigh at least 45 or 50 pounds.  There are times
> when we want to go to a church function directly from work, so this
> heavy chair will be too heavy and large to fit in the trunk of the car
> of our friends who take us to and from church, whereas when I was able
> to use the companion chair on the bus, as that chair weighs a mere 18
> pounds, going to church from work was much easier; the companion chair
> has a back which folds down also making it much easier to stow in a
> car.  This is why I want to find a standard-type chair that weighs in
> the neighborhood of 20 pounds.  One local store, Mobility Express, has
> such a chair but the price quoted to me was $3500.  I am interested to
> know if there is a source for light standard chairs with prices much
> more affordable than that.  Of course, because of working, I obviously
> will not qualify for Medicare or Medicaid, then this kind of thing
> would be practically free.
>
> Any help locating a source of a light standard chair would be
> appreciated, as this light chair would be much easier to stow in a car
> and bring on and off buses, not to mention easier moving around.  I'm
> looking specifically for manual, not power.
>
> Thanks again for any tips or info.  I look forward to hearing from you.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Peter Russillo
>
> P.S.  For those who want to contact me off list, you may leave a
> message on weekdays at (772) 288-5247, or at my mobile number,
> 772-224-6739.  Thanks.
>
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